Convertible adjustable strap and harness system

ABSTRACT

A system of attachments whereby the wearer may easily change the way the system or device is configured and attached to a carrier to change the way the carrier is worn from a strap and/or hip belt to a shoulder or neck harness, a back pack; or to a chest or front pack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the technical field of carrier devices such aspurses, packs, bags, cases and other containers and carriers forcarrying equipment, supplies, ect, for various reasons; but it alsorelates more specifically to making it possible to carry a singlecarrier or carriers in different ways. A few examples of suchconfigurations include a sling for shoulder wear; suspension from astrap from the neck; suspended from the neck but also supported by a hipbelt, or attached to a shoulder harness for use as a front or backpack.

Which configuration used is dependent on several things such as personalpreference, ease of back and body strain, heaviness of the item or itemsto be carried; the need for ease of access; and whether more than onecarrier is needed to hold everything for a certain activity.

There are many everyday activities in which the bearer of a bag, purse,pack or carrier would benefit from a versatile system that could beinterchanged; converted or adjusted to suit the needs of the specificindividual and the task at hand and to switch the area of the body mostimpacted by the burden. Such versatility would reduce the need for morethan one type of bag or multiple carriers for different situations.Active individuals would benefit from such a system; but, even casualpedestrians or commuters would find such features extremely useful.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The following named invention has a belt designed to be worn at thechest or waist of the wearer. It also allows use of a strap that isattached to a camera carried inside the case. It does not allow thewearer to interchange between types of uses as does the presentinvention.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,838 [45] Date of Patent: Dec.22, 1992

[76] Inventor: Galen A. Rowell

The following named invention allows the wearer only the choice of astrap attached to a pack. It is not interchangeable or readily removableas the present invention though the strap length is adjustable.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,984 [45] Date of Patent: Dec.16, 2003

[76] Inventor: Avichay Mor

The following named invention consists of a versatile pack which can beworn as a waist pack, daypack or shoulder bag but its functions andoperations differ from the present invention in that the carrier systemis not designed to carry a chest pack and as the present invention.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,770 [45] Date of Patent: Mar.30, 1999

[76] Inventor: John F. Covell

The following named invention is a harness and also it converts to abasic neck strap by use of a series of attachments and straps it differsfrom the present invention in a number of ways including ease of use andfunction. It does not incorporate any padding system or harnesscapability for carrying substantial weight with any stability andadjustability and it does not allow for backpack and front packconfigurations.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,488 [45] Date of Patent: Jul. 5,1977

[76] Inventor: Robert A Brewer

The following named invention may operate as a backpack, a side sling orshoulder strap or as a front pack but it utilizes a different system ofattachments which would not easily transfer as a system for universaluse with other carrying devices.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,652 [45] Date of Patent: Nov.26, 1996

[76] Inventor: Cheryl G. Cooper

The following named invention has a dual strap system is designed to beattached to a bag, such as a computer bag and enable an individual tocarry it as a backpack. It does not allow for the integration of all theoptions which the present invention offers and it utilizes a completelydifferent configuration to function as a strap or harness.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,884 [45] Date of Patent: Nov. 6,2001

[76] Inventor: Justin Johnson

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

THE PRESENT INVENTION IS A VERSATILE AND SIMPLE HARNESS AND STRAP FORATTACHING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS FOR USE WITH CARRIERS, SUCH AS APURSE, BAG OR PACK TO BE WORN ON THE CHEST OR BACK OF THE BEARER OR TOOPERATE AS A SLING OR SIMPLE HARNESS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: is a drawing of the system in a harness configuration as seenfrom above.

FIG. 2: is a drawing of the system from above showing the system withoutits top cover and with internal construction shown.

FIG. 3: is a drawing showing the underside of the system.

FIG. 4: is a drawing showing the system in use as a harness for a camerabag.

FIG. 5: is a drawing of the system in a strap or shoulder harnessconfiguration as seen from above with the bottom side internalconstruction exposed as in an x-ray.

FIG. 6: is a drawing of the system in use as a strap or shoulder slingfor a camera bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention allows the wearer to convert various items for asconfigured for a shoulder sling, neck strap, neck strap and hip belt, oras a back or front harness.

Referring to FIG. 1, the device 100 is constructed of a soft material,fabric, padding, foam molding, or other suitable material. It may bepadded and or quilted or otherwise molded and/or shaped for comfort tothe wearer. It is cut or stamped into the desired shape; here it is theshape of a wide figure eight, but almost any shape could be utilized solong as it accommodated the strap system and a second piece is sewnafter the internal construction referenced at Figure two is completed.The top piece is able to conceal the buckle or buckles when they are notin active use. The top piece is sewn over the bottom piece at dottedlines and the edge is finished. Referring to FIG. 2 the edge 8 is shownfinished.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, here, the main piece 100 of the system isdepicted in the shape of a figure eight or with a funnel shape on eitherside to sleekly accommodate buckles two fixed 3 and two adjustable 2 andextra belt, strap or webbing when not in use. Two belts, straps orwebbing of a flexible but not highly elastic fabric are used to form theattachment points at buckles 2, 3 or other suitable attachment devices.The lengths of webbing or other belt or strap material should be longenough to accommodate ample adjustment from a strap or sling to aharness system. Extra length of adjustable belt, strap or webbing istucked into the main piece for neatness. The system depicted in FIG. 1is configured for use as a back or front harness.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the drawing is shown with the top cover of themain piece cutaway. The internal construction of the piece is exposed.Two D rings 1 are attached to the lower portion of the piece on oppositesides and opposing each other by means of webbing or other sturdymaterial and bar tacking or other adhesions on each side 6. Onecontinuous length of belting, webbing or other strap or belt material 7is threaded through each of the D rings as shown and then a buckle, hookor other closure 2 is attached to the ends of the belts, straps orwebbing material. One buckle or other closure 2 and 3 is attached toeach of the ends of each strap, belt or webbing 7.

One buckle or other closure/attachment that is attached on one side ofeach side to the belt, strap or webbing 7 is fixed, meaning the belt,strap or webbing 7 material running through the buckle or otherattachment 2 is sewn to itself refer to FIG. 1 at 5; and one buckle orother attachment on each side having the strap, belt or webbing 7threaded through the buckle, or other attachments 3 leaving the belt,strap or webbing ends extending through so that they may be pulled outor in make them adjustable longer or shorter.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the cover piece 9 (missing in FIG. 2) is thenaffixed to the lower main piece of the system over the D-rings 1 andonce the cover is sewn or otherwise affixed in place over the top of thefigure eight shape thus covering the internal mechanism 10 the buckleswill not pull all the way through and will function easily by pulling onthe non-affixed buckle 2 inside to convert the harness into a sling orstrap. The fixed buckles 2 pulled inside are hidden nicely under thecover and the sling or strap can be adjusted by means of pulling thewebbing or strap on the unfixed buckle 3 side.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bar tacks 6 (or other type attachment oradhesion) are visible as resulting from the sewing or other adhesion ofthe D Rings sewn or affixed to the opposite side of the piece.

All buckles or other attachments used are compatible with each other;with the Convertible Adjustable Strap and Harness system having, unlessother compatible connectors are used such as magnets, the female styleends or connectors and the male style buckles, connectors or loops beingaffixed, either sewn in or added after construction by sewing or othermode or means, on the carrier, bag or pack to which the ConvertibleAdjustable Strap and Harness will be attached.

The wearing configurations include, but are not limited to: As seen inFIG. 4 a harness which is attached to a carrier 200 (here a camera bag)to the main piece of the Adjustable Convertible Strap or Harness.

The main piece may be attached either vertically or turned 90*horizontally and attached to corresponding buckles or other attachmentdevices. It may also be worn in this configuration on either the frontor back of the wearer. A pouch or second carrier system may be a part ofthe back or top cover of the main piece.

The straps remain adjustable by means of the unfixed buckles or otherconnectors.

Referring again to FIG. 4, here, the Carrier 200, in this instance acamera bag, is equipped with sewn in D rings attached to belting,strapping or webbing and having male connectors compatible with theConvertible Adjustable Strap and Harness system. These should be sewn inor otherwise affixed in four places: two in the top and top at thebottom of the carrier 100. Alternatively, the attachments for theCarrier 200 may be sewn in, riveted or otherwise attached after firstconstruction. The straps or webbing and rings may be tucked into thebottom corners of the Carrier 200 itself for stowage, when not in use asseen in FIG. 7. Having corresponding attachment points is a key featureto the operation of the system whether they are sewn or otherwiseattached.

Referring now to FIG. 5; showing the main piece of the system nowconfigured for use as a strap or sling which could be hung from ashoulder or the neck. Referring to FIG. 6, the adjustable sides of thebelt, strap or webbing 4 fitted with non-fixed adjustable buckles,closures or attachments have been pulled out and the side with the fixedbuckles closures or attachments 2 are conveniently parked inside themain piece now shown with the cover attached but with x-ray likedrawings revealing the construction and configuration underneath oneside of the main piece. There may also be a keeper loop 7 to helpcontrol extra adjustable belting, strap, or webbing and the end of theadjustable belting, strap or webbing may also be tucked up into the mainpiece 8.

The Strap or Sling configuration is shown in use as a camera bag orcarrier strap or sling in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, the large shadedarrow on FIG. 6 shows how the buckles or other attachments are attachedto the carrier with compatible buckles or other connective device(s).The small shaded arrows in FIG. 6 demonstrate movement for stowage ofextra belting, straps or webbing. The upper small arrow shows themovement in stowing the two unused straps (for this configuration), oneon each side, which are pulled through into the main piece of the systemand extra adjustable belt, strap or webbing is stowed in the main pieceas well. The lower arrow shows the optional stowage loop and webbingattachment in place on the carrier 200 for attachment to the system in aharness configuration.

Referring to FIG. 6 which shows the system configured for use as a slingor strap and in use as a sling or strap with a camera bag or carrier200, in this configuration the lower attachment on the carrier 200 couldbe used for attachment to a hip belt for further stability and ease ofcarrying, but here, the bottom attachments of the Pack 200 are shown asstow-able when not in use with a hip belt or the harness configuration.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a useful and easy way tocustomize a carrier or carriers every time it is used so to be wornquickly and easily in a variety of configurations suited to use andpreferences of the wearer.

This invention enables a simple carrier to become portable in a varietyof configurations. It helps insure that equipment may be taken alongsecurely and safely while also creating the ability to use the equipmentquickly and easily. It will help to stabilize straps, cases, bags, andpacks that may be unstable and insecure and to insure safe, secure andefficient carriage of equipment. An additional benefit in being able tochange configurations for carrying is that it will help ease back andbody strain by distributing weight in different ways. Active individualswill benefit from such a system; but, even the casual pedestrian orcommuter would find the system would make his or her experience a muchbetter one.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

1. A device that is functional as a harness or strap or sling andconvertible between usages when affixed or attached to a bag, pack orcase allowing the wearer to quickly change between wearing configurationfrom a sling on the shoulder or over the neck to a harness with a bag,pack or case carried in the front or on the back of the wearer as afront or chestpack or as a backpack by means of: Two straps or lengthsof webbing each of which is run through an internal rings affixed insidea central holder; the webbing of which has buckles or other connectivedevices attached to each end for a total of four with the sets capableof being pulled through the D-rings which allows the device to have fourbuckle ends usable for attachment for use as a harness or only twobuckle ends showing for use as a sling or strap.